Page 423 of Primal Bonds

The night fae walked her down a short flight of granite stairs, then led her deeper. But she balked as they approached the hall leading to the cell in which she and Adric had been imprisoned.

“I won’t go back in there.”

“Hello.” A young woman in the same uniform as Olivier—white shirt, black pants and a bow tie—stepped forward. She gave a tentative smile. “I’m Jessica, Olivier’s assistant.”

Rosana blinked. “You’re human.” Of course, Olivier had been human, too, but Jessica was young to be living at a fae court.

“That’s right, Senhorita.” The woman gave another nervous smile. “Come with me, please. I promise you’re not going back into a cell.”

She led Rosana down another hallway and then opened the door to a roomy apartment with dark Art Nouveau furniture and large, brooding paintings. “This way.”

She ushered Rosana into a bedroom with more beautiful furniture and a hand-woven rug so plush Rosana’s bare feet left footprints. The black lamps on either side of the bed were in the shape of a naked woman holding a glowing moon above her head, and an intricate design of lilies and vines was carved on the mahogany headboard.

Laid out on the blood-red comforter was a sleeveless party dress in a shimmering purple so dark it was almost black. She fingered the short pleated skirt. The dress was clearly fae-made, with invisible stitches and a magic fabric that would fit itself perfectly to her body. Next to it were a bra and panties in a cobweb-fine lace, and on a rug were matching purple heels in a butter-soft leather.

If the outfit was from anyone but Langdon, she’d have been thrilled to wear it. Instead, she wanted to stuff it in a trash can.

“I’ll order your dinner,” Jessica said. “Meanwhile, the prince thought you might like to take a bath and change into clean clothes.” She turned to go, but Rosana put out a hand, stopping her.

“Where’s Lord Adric?” He was near, she sensed that much through the bond.

The human glanced uneasily at the room’s darkest corner. “He’s fine.”

“Say the words. Tell me Adric’s unhurt.”

“Adric is unhurt.” Her scent held the purity of truth. “Like you, he’s being fed, made comfortable.”

Rosana’s shoulders sagged in relief.

“I’m to come for you a half hour before midnight.”

Her head jerked up. “Why? What happens at midnight?”

“The new moon’s tonight,” Jessica said. “You’ll be at the ritual. That’s all I know.”

A ritual. On a dark, moonless night.

A black-haired priestess steps forward, a gleaming knife in her hand…

Shaken, Rosana sank onto the edge of the bed.

Jessica edged toward the door.

“Wait!” Rosana sprang to her feet. “Please. Take me to Adric. Nobody has to know. I just need to see him for myself.”

The human looked down at her feet. “I can’t. But he’s fine. For now,” she added in a small voice.

“What do you mean, for now?”

Jessica shook her head.

Rosana dropped her voice. “Can you get a message to Lord Dion? He’ll pay you—anything you ask.”

“I’m sorry,” the human whispered as she backed out of the room. In a louder voice, she said, “Your dinner will be in the kitchen. I’ll be back for you in a few hours.”

Chapter 41

Friday morning, they slipped out of the motel in twos and threes.

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